Syringe with needle

ABSTRACT

This syringe with needle is provided with a needle tube having a needle tip capable of puncturing a living body, and a syringe by insert molding formed integrally with the needle tube. The syringe includes: a main body which is filled with a drug; and a securing section which is formed to be continuous with the main body. The securing section secures the needle tube in a state that the needle tip of the needle tube is protruded. The securing section of the syringe includes a holding hole in which a chuck member for supporting and securing a circumferential surface of the needle tube during the insert molding is inserted and passed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a syringe with needle such that asyringe is formed on a needle tube by insert molding.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a syringe with needle includes a needle tube which isprovided at a distal portion thereof with a needle tip capable ofpuncturing a living body, and a needle hub which holds the needle tubein a state of protruding the needle tip of the needle tube. In addition,the syringe with needle is configured by connecting a syringe to theneedle hub. It is an existing practice to secure the needle tube to theneedle hub by use of an adhesive in the condition where the needle tubeis inserted and passed in an insertion hole of the needle hub (see, forexample, Patent Document 1).

In recent years, there has been proposed a syringe with needle wherein aneedle hub is omitted and a needle tube is secured directly to a syringewhich is to be filled with a drug. In this syringe with needle, also,the needle tube is secured to the syringe by use of an adhesive, like inthe existing syringe with needle.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2006-116163

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the syringe with needle wherein the syringe and the needle tubeare secured by the use of the adhesive has had problems that theadhesive is needed and that an adhering step is needed after formationof the syringe. Therefore, the number of component parts is increaseddue to the adhesive, and the number of steps for assembly is increased,thereby leading to a rise in cost.

Furthermore, the syringe may be filled with a drug. Therefore, therehave been problems that the adhesive used for securing the needle tubeand the syringe may come into contact (liquid-liquid contact) with thedrug placed in the syringe, thereby imposing a bad influence on thedrug. In view of this, in recent years, as a new securing method inwhich an adhesive is not used, a technology for integrally forming aneedle tube and a syringe by insert molding has been demanded.

In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a syringe with needle wherein a needle tubeand a syringe can be integrally formed by insert molding, without usingany adhesive.

Technical Solution

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and attain the object ofthe present invention, there is provided according to the presentinvention a syringe with needle, including: a needle tube having aneedle tip capable of puncturing a living body; and a syringe formedintegrally with the needle tube by insert molding. The syringe includesa main body which is filled with a drug, and a securing section which isformed to be continuous with the main body. The securing section securesthe needle tube in a state that the needle tip of the needle tube isprotruded. In addition, the securing section of the syringe has aholding hole in which a chuck member for supporting and securing acircumferential surface of the needle tube during the insert molding isinserted and passed.

Advantageous Effects

According to the syringe with needle of the present invention, thesecuring section of the syringe is formed therein with a holding hole inwhich the chuck member for supporting and securing the circumferentialsurface of the needle tube is inserted and passed. This enables theneedle tube to be held from the side of the circumferential surfacethereof, instead of both axial-directional ends thereof. This ensuresthat the needle tube can be assuredly held by the chuck member duringthe molding, so that the needle tube and the syringe can be integrallysecured without using any adhesive and at accurate relative positions.In addition, the needle tube and the syringe can be integrally formed bythe insert molding. This makes it possible to omit the step for adheringthe needle tube and the syringe to each other, and to realize areduction in cost.

Furthermore, the chuck member makes contact with that part of the needletube which is covered by the securing section of the syringe, and doesnot make contact with that part (puncturing part) of the needle tubewhich is made to puncture a living body. Therefore, such troubles asmarring of the puncturing part of the needle tube or deposition of dirton the puncturing part can be prevented from being caused by the chuckmember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a syringe withneedle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a major part of the embodiment ofthe syringe with needle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a major part of the embodiment of thesyringe with needle according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing, in section, a major part of theembodiment of the syringe with needle according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a major part of the embodiment of thesyringe with needle according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a condition where a cap is mounted.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the syringe with needle and the cap shownin FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an illustration view showing a condition at the time of insertmolding of the syringe with needle according to the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, an embodiment (exemplary mode) of a syringe with needle accordingto the present invention will be described below, referring to FIGS. 1to 8. Incidentally, members shown in common in the drawings are denotedby the same reference symbols. Besides, the present invention is not tobe restricted to the following embodiment (mode).

Incidentally, description will be made in the following order.

1. Configuration Example of Syringe with Needle2. Assembly of Syringe with Needle

1. Configuration Example of Syringe with Needle

First, a syringe with needle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention (hereinafter referred to as “this embodiment”) will bedescribed with referring to FIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a syringe with needle according tothis embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a major partof the syringe with needle in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side viewshowing the syringe with needle in this embodiment, and FIGS. 4 and 5are sectional views showing the syringe with needle in this embodiment.

The syringe with needle, 1, is used to make a needle tip puncture a skinsurface and to inject a drug into a living body. As shown in FIG. 1,this syringe with needle, 1, includes a syringe 2 which is filled withthe drug, a needle tube 3 secured to the syringe 2, and a cap 4 (seeFIGS. 6 and 7).

[Needle Tube]

First, the needle tube 3 will be described.

As the needle tube 3, a needle tube with a size (outside diameter: 93.5to 0.2 mm) of 10 to 33 gauge according to the ISO medical needle tubestandard (ISO9626: 1991/Amd. 1:2001(E)) is used. Preferably, the size(outside diameter: φ1.7 to 0.2 mm) of 16 to 33 gauge is used. The needletube 3 is formed, at one axial-directional end thereof, with a cuttingedge for sharpening a needle tip 3 a. The needle tip 3 a onaxial-directionally one side of the needle tube 3 is made to puncture aliving body.

A material of the needle tube 3 may be, for example, stainless steel;however, this is not restrictive, and other metals such as aluminum,aluminum alloys, titanium, and titanium alloys can also be used as thematerial. In addition, the needle tube 3 is not limited to a straightneedle, and may be a tapered needle which is tapered at least a partthereof. It suffices for the tapered needle to have a proximal portiongreater in diameter than an end portion of the needle tip 3 a and tohave an intermediate portion of a tapered structure. Besides, asectional shape of the needle tube 3 is not restricted to a circle butmay be a polygon such as a triangle.

Furthermore, a coating agent such as a silicone resin or a fluoro-basedresin is applied to the surface on the needle tip 3 a side of the needletube 3. This ensures that when the needle tube 3 punctures a livingbody, the friction between the skin and the needle tube can be reduced,and the pain attendant on the puncture can be alleviated.

The needle tube 3 is secured to the syringe 2, with the needle tip 3 ain the state of protruding to the outside. The needle tip 3 a on theaxial-directionally one side of the needle tube 3 protrudes from thedistal end (tip) of a securing section 7 of the syringe 2 which will bedescribed later.

[Syringe]

Now, the syringe 2 will be described below.

The syringe 2 includes a main body 6 which is filled with the drug, andthe securing section 7 provided continuously with the main body 6. Themain body 6 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, the securingsection 7 is formed on axial-directionally one side of the main body 6in a continuous form, and the main body 6 is opened at its end on theaxial-directionally other side. Besides, in the case of a prefilledsyringe, a tube hole 6 a (see FIG. 2) of the main body 6 is filled withthe drug, and a gasket as a pusher (or plunger) is fitted into the mainbody 6 from the axial-directionally other side. Further, as shown inFIG. 4, the tube hole 6 a of the main body 6 is in communication with aproximal portion 3 b constituting an axial-directionally other end ofthe needle tube 3 secured to the securing section 7.

Incidentally, while an example wherein the shape of the main body 6 ofthe syringe 2 is the substantially hollow cylindrical shape has beendescribed in this embodiment, the shape of the main body 6 may be ahollow tetragonal prism or hexagonal prism.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the securing section 7 protrudes from theaxial-directionally one side of the main body 6 along the axialdirection. The securing section 7 is formed integrally with the needletube 3, in a state of protruding the needle tip 3 a of the needle tube3, by insert molding. With the needle tube 3 thus formed integrally withthe securing section 7 of the syringe 2 by the insert molding, anadhering step using an adhesive can be omitted. In addition, since noadhesive is used, there is no risk that the adhesive might make contactwith the drug placed in the syringe 2, thereby imposing a bad influenceon the drug.

As shown in FIG. 4, the needle tube 3 is placed on the axis of thesecuring section 7 and along the axial direction. In addition, thesecuring section 7 has a connection part 8 provided continuously withone axial-directional end of the main body 6, and a close contact part 9provided continuously with the connection part 8.

The connection part 8 is formed in the shape of a cross in across-section surface in the direction orthogonal to the axial directionof the main body 6. In addition, the diameter on the close contact part9 side of the connection part 8 is smaller than the diameter of theclose contact part 9. Therefore, the securing section 7 is in aconstricted shape at its connecting portion between the connection part8 and the close contact part 9. Incidentally, while the connection part8 in this embodiment is formed to decrease in diametral size as one goesaway from the main body 6, the connection part 8 may be continuous whilebeing constant in diametral size.

Furthermore, the connection part 8 is formed therein with a holding hole11 which communicates from a circumferential surface thereof to theneedle tube 3 secured therein. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the holdinghole 11 is a through-hole orthogonal to the axis of the connection part8. In the holding hole 11, a chuck member 26 for supporting and securinga circumferential surface of the needle tube 3 is inserted and passed(see FIG. 8). This ensures that, at the time of the insert molding, theneedle tube 3 can be held in the direction orthogonal to the axialdirection thereof. Therefore, the insert molding can be easily carriedout, with the needle tube 3 in a stable state. As a result, the needletube 3 can be prevented from being deformed or bent under the moldingpressure.

Incidentally, while an example wherein one holding hole 11 is providedhas been described in this embodiment, this structure is notrestrictive, and not less than two holding holes may be provided. In thecase where a plurality of holding holes are provided, the holding holesare preferably formed in the connection part 8 at roughly regularintervals along the axial direction of the needle tube 3.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection part 8 is formed with aspacing hole 12 at its end portion on the main body 6 side, namely, atits axial-directionally other end portion 8 b of the connection part 8.The spacing hole 12 is provided at the axis of the other end portion 8 bof the connection part 8. In the spacing hole 12, is disposed a proximalportion 3 b of the needle tube 3.

Further, the spacing hole 12 is spaced from the outer circumferentialsurface of the needle tube 3. Incidentally, a distance S from the innersurface of the spacing hole 12 to the outer circumferential surface ofthe needle tube 3 is set, for example, in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm.The structure in which the other end portion 8 b is provided with thespacing hole 12 spaced from the outer circumferential surface of theneedle tube 3 prevents a resin from entering through the proximalportion 3 b of the needle tube 3 into a needle hole during the insertmolding to plug up the needle hole.

Incidentally, this spacing hole 12 is formed by a support part 21 awhich supports the proximal portion 3 b of the needle tube 3 during theinsert molding (see FIG. 8).

Incidentally, while an example in which the connection part 8 is formedin a cross shape for reducing the material thickness and securingstrength has been described in this embodiment, this is not restrictive.For instance, the shape of the connection part 8 may be a roughlycylindrical shape, a tetragonal prism or a hexagonal prism.

The close contact part 9 is provided at one axial-directional end of theconnection part 8, namely, on the distal side of the securing section 7.The close contact part 9 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape. Theneedle tip 3 a of the needle tube 3 protrudes from axial-directionallyone side of the close contact part 9. The close contact part 9, on theaxial-directionally one side, is opened in its portion other than anouter circumferential portion thereof and the periphery of the needletube 3, for the purpose of reducing the material thickness thereof. Itis to be noted, however, that the purpose can be fulfilled withoutproviding the opening. In addition, the outer circumferential surface ofthe close contact part 9 makes close contact with an innercircumferential surface of the cap 4 described later.

Incidentally, while an example in which the close contact part 9 isformed in the roughly cylindrical shape has been described, the shape ofthe close contact part 9 may be a tetragonal prism or a hexagonal prisminsofar as it corresponds to the shape of a tube hole 4 a of the cap 4.

Examples of a material of the syringe 2 having the above-mentionedconfiguration include various resins such as polyvinyl chloride,polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic polyolefins, polystyrene,poly(4-methylpentene-1), polycarbonates, acrylic resins, anacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyesters such aspolyethylene terephthalate, etc., a butadiene-styrene copolymer, andpolyamides (e.g., nylon 6, nylon 6.6, nylon 6.10, nylon 12). Amongthese, preferred are such resins as polypropylene, cyclic polyolefins,polyesters, and poly(4-methylpentene-1). Incidentally, it is preferablefor the material of the syringe 2 to be substantially transparent, forsecuring inside visibility.

The drug with which the syringe 2 is filled may be any drug that isordinarily used as an injection agent. Examples of the drug includeprotein drugs such as antibodies, etc., peptide drugs such as hormones,etc., nucleic acid drugs, cell drugs, blood derivatives, vaccines forprevention of various infectious diseases, carcinostatic agents,anesthetics, narcotics, antibiotics, steroid preparations, proteinaseinhibitors, heparin, saccharide injections such as glucose, etc.,electrolyte correction injections such as sodium chloride, potassiumlactate, etc., vitamin preparations, lipid emulsions, contrast media,and stimulants.

[Cap]

Now, the cap 4 will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cap 4 is formed in a roughly hollowcylindrical shape which is opened at one axial-directional end thereofand closed at the other axial-directional end thereof. The cap 4 isformed of an elastic material such as, for example, a rubber or anelastomer. As shown in FIG. 6, the cap 4 is mounted toaxial-directionally one side of the syringe 2 in such a manner as tocover the needle tip 3 a of the needle tube 3 and the securing section 7of the syringe 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the needle tip 3 aside of the needle tube 3 and the securing section 7 are inserted intothe tube hole 4 a of the cap 4.

Incidentally, the inside diameter of the tube hole 4 a of the cap 4 isset to be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the outsidediameter of the close contact part 9 of the securing section 7.Therefore, when the cap 4 is mounted to the syringe 2, the outercircumferential surface of the close contact part 9 of the securingsection 7 makes close contact with the inside circumferential surface ofthe cap 4. This ensures that the needle tip 3 a side of the needle tube3, which is on the distal side of the close contact part 9 of thesecuring section 7, is hermetically closed by the close contact part 9and the inner circumferential surface of the cap 4. As a result,deposition of bacteria on the needle tip 3 a can be prevented.

In addition, the inner circumferential surface of the cap 4, by itselastic force, fastens a constricted portion at the connecting portionbetween the close contact part 9 and the connection part 8 of thesecuring section 7. As a result, the inner circumferential surface ofthe cap 4 and the constricted portion of the securing section 7 areengaged with each other, whereby the cap 4 can be prevented fromslipping off from the syringe 2 during transportation.

2. Assembly of Syringe with Needle

Now, a method of assembling the syringe with needle, 1, configured asabove will be described below referring to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a condition where the syringe withneedle is formed by insert molding.

First, a mold 20 for molding the syringe with needle, 1, according tothis embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the mold 20includes a core 21 for forming the tube hole 6 a of the syringe 2, afirst part 22, a second part 23 opposed to the first part 22, and athird part 24 for forming the close contact part 9 of the syringe 2. Thefirst part 22 and the second part 23 are each provided with the chuckmember 26 for supporting and securing a side surface of the needle tube3.

The chuck member 26 is provided at its tip with a V-shaped groove sothat the needle tube 3 can be easily supported thereby. Incidentally,the tip of the chuck member 26 may be formed with a curved surfaceslightly larger than the diameter of the needle tube 3, instead of beingformed with the V-shaped groove. Further, an elastic body may beprovided at the tip of the chuck member 26 so that the needle tube 3 isprevented from being smashed or being marred on its side surface.Incidentally, the provision of the elastic body at the tip of the chuckmember 26 makes it possible to flexibly cope with variability of thediametral size of the needle tube 3.

The core 21 is formed at its tip with a support part 21 a for supportingand securing the proximal portion 3 b of the needle tube 3. Besides, thethird part 24 is formed therein with a guide hole 24 a into which theneedle tip 3 a side of the needle tube 3 is inserted.

Incidentally, the joints between the first part 22 and the second part23 and the third part 24 are located on the connection part 8 of thesecuring section 7 of the syringe 2.

The method of assembling the syringe with needle, 1, by use of theabove-mentioned mold 20 is carried out as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the proximal portion 3 b of the needle tube 3is supported and secured by the support part 21 a of the core 21.Similarly, the side surface of the needle tube 3 is supported andsecured by the chuck members 26 of the first part 22 and the second part23. Next, the needle tip 3 a of the needle tube 3 is inserted into theguide hole 24 a of the third part 24, and the needle tube 3 is setstraight in relation to the mold 20. This makes it possible to preventthe needle tube 3 from being deformed during the molding, and to preventthe relative positions of the syringe 2 and the needle tube 3 from beingerroneously changed.

Subsequently, a resin is poured into the mold 20, thereby performing theinsert molding. As a result, the syringe 2 is formed around the needletube 3. In this instance, the securing section 7 of the syringe 2 isformed therein with the holding hole 11, in which the chuck members 26have been inserted and passed, and with the spacing hole 12. Then, thecap 4 is put on the needle tube 3 and the syringe 2. In this way, theassembly of the syringe with needle, 1, is completed.

Thus, the needle tube 3 and the syringe 2 can be integrally formed bythe insert molding. This ensures that an adhering step using an adhesivecan be omitted, and simplification of the assembling step can beachieved. Accordingly, a reduction in cost of assembly can be realized.

In addition, a part where the chuck members 26 support and secure theneedle tube 3 becomes an intermediate part of the securing section 7 ofthe syringe 2 after the insert molding. Further, a part where a supportpart of the core 21 supports and secures the needle tube 3 is theproximal portion 3 b on the side opposite to the needle tip 3 a. Thispart is not that part (hereinafter referred to as “puncturing part”) ofthe needle tube 3 which is made to puncture a living body. Thus, thepuncturing part of the needle tube 3 is not supported or secured duringthe insert molding; therefore, such troubles as adhesion of dirt ontothe puncturing part or generation of mars on the side surface of thepuncturing part can be prevented from occurring due to the chuck members26 or the support part 21 a of the core 21.

Furthermore, the needle tube 3 is supported and secured at three pointsby the chuck members 26 and the support part 21 a of the core 21. Thiseliminates the need to support the needle tip 3 a of the needle tube 3.Therefore, the needle tip 3 a can be prevented from being damaged by themold or the chuck members 26 or the like during the molding.

As above-mentioned, the joints between the first part 22 and the secondpart 23 and the third part 24 are located on the connection part 8 ofthe securing section 7 of the syringe 2. Therefore, a so-called partingline related to the mold is not formed on the close contact part 9 whichis brought into close contact with the inner surface of the cap 4.

Thus, generation of burrs on the close contact part 9 can be prevented.This ensures that when the cap 4 is mounted in position, generation of agap between the close contact part 9 and the inner surface of the cap 4due to the presence of burrs is prevented. Consequently, air-tightnessat the needle tip 3 a of the needle tube 3 disposed on the distal sideof the close contact part 9 can be maintained, and the needle tip 3 a ofthe needle tube 3 can also be protected in a sterile state.

Incidentally, the present invention is not restricted to the embodimentsdescribed above and illustrated by the drawings, and variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the inventionas defined by the claims.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 . . . Syringe with needle, 2 . . . Syringe, 3 . . . Needle tube, 3 a .. . Needle tip, 3 b . . . Proximal portion, 4 . . . Cap, 4 a . . . Tubehole, 6 . . . Main body, 6 a . . . Tube hole, 7 . . . Securing section,8 . . . Connection part, 8 b . . . Other end portion, 9 . . . Closecontact part, 11 . . . Holding hole, 12 . . . Spacing hole, 20 . . .Mold, 21 . . . Core, 21 a . . . Support part, 26 . . . Chuck member.

1. A syringe with needle, comprising: a needle tube having a needle tipcapable of puncturing a living body; and a syringe formed integrallywith the needle tube by insert molding, wherein the syringe includes amain body which is filled with a drug, and a securing section which isformed to be continuous with the main body and wherein the securingsection secures the needle tube in a state that the needle tip of theneedle tube is protruded, and the securing section of the syringe has aholding hole in which a chuck member for supporting and securing acircumferential surface of the needle tube during the insert molding isinserted and passed.
 2. The syringe with needle according to claim 1,wherein the holding hole is formed to be orthogonal to an axialdirection of the needle tube held by the securing section.
 3. Thesyringe with needle according to claim 1, wherein the holding holeincludes a plurality of holding holes, and the plurality of holdingholes are provided in the securing section.
 4. The syringe with needleaccording to claim 1 further comprising a cap covering the needle tip ofthe needle tube and the securing section of the syringe, wherein thesecuring section includes a close contact part from which the needle tipof the needle tube protrudes, and a connection part which connects theclose contact part and the main body to each other, the close contactpart makes close contact with an inner surface of the cap, and theholding hole is formed in the connection part.
 5. The syringe withneedle according to claim 4, wherein a parting line derived from a moldfor forming the syringe by the insert molding is located on theconnection part of the securing section exclusive of the close contactpart.